India's Under-19 opener Lakshya Rajesh Raichandani scripted history at Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot, in the ongoing first unofficial/Youth Test. Raichandani scored 240 runs from 280 balls against Australia Under-19. He became the first batter to score a double century against Australia U19 in Youth Tests.
The previous record for highest score against Australia U19 in Youth Tests belonged to Pakistan's Farhan Adil. In March 1997, Adil had scored 175 against Australia U19 in Lahore. That Australia U19 side featured the likes of Brad Haddin, James Hopes, and Michael Klinger.
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Raichandani's 240 is also the sixth-highest score by a batter in Youth Tests. The top spot belongs to Australia's Clinton Peake with an unbeaten 304 against India U19 in Melbourne in 1995.
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Raichandani's 240-run knock is the second-highest score by an India U19 batter in Youth Tests. The record is in possession of Pawan Shah with a 282-run knock against Sri Lanka U19 in 2018.
Raichandani holds on to one end
At the end of Day 2's play, Raichandani was batting on 210. The Indian U19 side had posted 430/8 on Day 2. Raichandani helped India U19 recover from the early blows. He shared a 124-run partnership for the second wicket with skipper Yashbardhan Chauhan who scored 54 runs. From 170/2, India U19 lost half the side for 173. Manav Krishna and Ayaan Akram got starts but failed to convert them into big scores.
Raichandani, Ulva frustrate AUS U19 bowlers
India U19 were 293/8 when Mohit Ulva joined Raichandani in the middle. They shared an 180-run partnership for the ninth wicket. In the first session of Day 3's play, the partnership was broken by Theo Singos. Raichandani hit 24 fours and four sixes in his 240-run knock. A few overs later, Ulva missed his chance to score a ton. He was dismissed for 92 by Tsingos. His knock of 92 from 84 balls was laced with 10 fours and four sixes. India U19 posted 494 on the board, taking a massive 277-run lead.
Earlier, Australia U19 were bowled out for 217 in 86.5 overs. Blake Cattle scored a ton whereas Zed Hollick scored a half-century. But, Australia U19 went from 174/3 to 217 all out. Ishan Om bagged a five-wicket haul as he got rid of the lower order, mopping up the tail. Ulva bagged three wickets whereas Yashbardhan claimed two.